Bus stop bypasses (2)

Caroline Russell: In your answer to my question 2016/4556 you confirmed there were trials of zebra crossings at bus stop bypasses. In July 2018 Transport for London (TfL) issued a guidance document (titled: Pedestrian crossings at Bus Stop Bypasses) which set an expectation that, by default, bus stop bypasses should have zebra crossings. Could you confirm how many bus stop bypasses there are in London, and how many now have a zebra crossing?

The Mayor: Following a trial of zebra crossings at Bus Stop Bypasses in 2016/17, Transport for London (TfL) updated its design guidance to recommend that a Zebra crossing on a raised table be provided at bus stop bypasses, instead of an uncontrolled pedestrian crossing-point between the footway and the bus stop island. This guidance makes clear that this is to be implemented on all schemes designed, delivered and funded by TfL, unless exceptional circumstances apply and any deviation from this advice can be justified. Boroughs are also recommended to follow this guidance.
Following the trial, TfL completed a retrofit programme to add zebra crossings to over 40 existing bus stop bypasses on Cycle Superhighways and the Transport for London Road Network. Any new bus stop bypasses that have been proposed since are subject to this guidance, and should have a zebra crossing incorporated unless exceptional circumstances apply.

School Bus Routes (1)

Alison Moore: What changes, if any, were made to the school bus routes TfL runs since schools were closed on 20th March?

The Mayor: Prior to the pandemic, although Transport for London (TfL) had 71 routes which operated as school routes, 95 per cent of children travelled on ordinary services. After lockdown, when demand fell to 15 per cent of what it was, general bus services were reduced in frequency to Saturday or Sunday services, with additional morning services according to demand. TfL has since returned to operating a near-normal service.
TfL also reviewed its school routes following lockdown. Where schools were closed or had very small numbers of pupils travelling by bus, their school routes were suspended. Where there was continued demand for the services, TfL continued to operate them until schools closed for the summer holidays. Please also see my response to MQ2020/3154 regarding changes since September.

Disabled access to roads (1)

David Kurten: Do you agree that disabled people and wheelchair users should have kerbside access on all roads?

The Mayor: I want London to be an inclusive city, welcoming to all. Accessible transport – as the means by which people access jobs, education and social opportunities – is one of the most critical parts of achieving this.
Kerbside access is an important part of this and is assessed at each scheme location. A number of factors will be considered as part of any changes to kerbside access, including availability of blue badge and other parking, drop-off and pick up points in the immediate and wider area, the types of destinations being accessed, bus usage, width of footways and safe cycling facilities. Transport for London will continue to engage with disability, active travel and design stakeholders to better understand conflicting needs and interests for users of London’s streets.

TfL Bonuses

Shaun Bailey: How much money has TfL paid out in bonus payments in 2018/19 and 2019/20?

The Mayor: Performance Award schemes are an important element of Transport for London’s (TfL’s) reward package and enable it to recognise its employees for the contribution they make toward the success of the organisation. Schemes are in place covering Payband 1-3 employees in TfL, Senior Managers, Directors, Chief Officers and the Commissioner.
The below table shows the total spend on performance awards over the 2018-19 and 2019-20 performance years.
Year
Senior Management
(Payband 4 upwards)
Paybands 1-3
(TfL, LTM, RfLI)
Eligible Employees
Performance Award Spend
Eligible Employees
Performance Award Spend
2018-2019
1,211
£8,365,252
5,878
£6,184,175
2019-2020
1,199
Deferred until June 2021
5,981
£6,097,626
In respect of the 2019-20 performance year, payment of awards for Senior Managers, Directors, Chief Officers and the Commissioner have been deferred to June 2021. This was a decision taken by the TfL Remuneration Committee in June 2020 and I would anticipate that the Committee might wish to return to this matter prior to next summer.
For Payband 1-3 employees please note the figure for 2019/20 is based on the budgets made available for performance awards and the total number of employees in eligible grades, as actual individual awards have not yet been finalised.

Hammersmith to Barnes Ferry Service

Tony Devenish: Will the Mayor support a new temporary ferry service between Hammersmith and Barnes in advance of the bridge either being reopened or replaced?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) and my Deputy Mayor for Transport are part of the Hammersmith Bridge taskforce, which is chaired by Baroness Vere at the Department for Transport. The taskforce is also attended by Hammersmith and Fulham, and Richmond Councils, the Port of London Authority, and Network Rail.
The taskforce has agreed a ferry service is the preferred solution to providing a crossing in the short term and is working to have a service in place by early next year. TfL is providing expertise and advice to develop this proposal. It is now time for ministers to put their money where their mouth is and confirm funding will be made available.